Roman Wales

the long version

When the Roman army invaded Wales in AD 74, they had to build a continuous chain of fortresses throughout the length and breadth of the country because of the fierce opposition of the tribal population, the Celts. The clash of cultures that resulted gave birth to Wales as we know it today, as the Romans established prosperous towns and introduced their way of life, landscaping, architecture and education to the locals. Wales was an important part of the Roman Empire, and grew to flourish as one of its wealthy provinces. From Carmarthen to Aberystwyth, Carleon to Carwent, many places in Wales today contain links and fascinating clues to this ancient civilization. Cooking utensils, jewelry and Roman baths have been uncovered at these sites, giving us a glimpse back into the exciting era of the Roman occupation, and how these people lived, worked and played. Sarah Symons guides us through the sites of Roman Wales and discovers how our Roman ancestors would have lived in each location.